June 15, 2026 at – 17:13
The Court of Appeal rejected another challenge raised in the framework of the Esteban Samaniego case regarding breach of trust and suggested the judge sanction the accused Chicaneros, among them the mayor of Quyquyhó Patricia Corvalán (ANR-HC), wife of deputy Esteban Samaniego and Blanca Álvarez, mother of the parliamentarian.
The Court of Appeal made up of the magistrates; Camilo Torres, Arnulfo Arias and Gustavo Amarilla, rejected the judge’s challenge Humberto Otazú raised by Damián Galarza Dardanoone of the accused in the context of the alleged property damage of G. 1,108 million to the Municipality of Quyquyhó, occurred when the now deputy Esteban Samaniego (ANR-HC) served as mayor.
Read more: Esteban Samaniego, the deputy with a history of violence, complaints and impunity
The Court also urged the Judge Otazú to arbitrate the mechanisms for sanction the proposals that aim hinder or dilate the normal development of a process.
The magistrates took into account the response of Humberto Otazú, who indicated that the challenging party bases its claim on an alleged loss of impartiality.
The Court indicated that the Galarza’s defense lawyer took intervention for the sole and sole purpose of presenting the challenge and thus suspending the hearing of the last June 3rd.
Read more: Damaged mayors pass internally and go to the Municipal Board
Likewise, the prosecutor Silvio Corbeta responded to the Court that all the presentations and appeals presented by the various defendants were carried out in repeated violation of the provisions of agreement No. 1,812 of July 16, 2025, in addition to violating the provisions of Art. 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The process
He December 11, 2023 The Public Ministry charged 23 people in the “Esteban Samaniego/injury of trust” case for alleged property damage of G. 1,108 million during the administration of the then mayor. Esteban Samaniego (2011-2017).
Meanwhile, on December 12, 2024, the Public Ministry accused the mayor Patricia Corvalan and thirteen other people, including the parliamentarian’s mother Blanca Alvarez.
Besides, are accused for administration for personal gain and money laundering Manuel Olazar and Andrés Alfredo Arrúa Brítez. The latter is a construction businessman, friend of Congressman Sanamiego who currently monopolizes municipal works during the administration of Patricia Corvalan.
Likewise, the following are accused of administration for personal gain and criminal association: Enrique Lovera Lezcano, Guido Vargas Gaete, Carlos Bareiro Bogarín, Ruth Medina Yegros (current candidate for mayor of Quyquyhó for Chartism)Líder Ramírez Ramírez and Pedro Ettiene Villanueva.
Furthermore, for criminal association were accused: Benigno Villasboa Cáceres and Óscar Samuel Fanego Otazúand for administration for their own benefit, were accused: Damián de Jesús Galarza and Christian Daniel Domínguez.
The deputy, although he is accusedremains unindicted because his parliamentary colleagues they shield it and they did not cast him out.
The vast majority of the accused they take turns with different chicanes to delay the preliminary hearing and thus prevent the case from being brought to oral trial for a year and a half.
